My Must Haves: Baby Edition

Our babies need so little, despite what our Pinterest boards might tell us.  River is by far our most stripped down baby, his list of baby gear quite short and simple.  I purchased very little for him while I was pregnant, bringing back a few favorite items from the girls and introducing several new finds that I discovered along the way.  Here is a list of my baby must haves: third child style:

1.  Aden and Anais muslin swaddle blankets: perfect for swaddling, as a nursing cover, as a stroller blanket, as a car seat cover/sun visor, as a tummy time mat, as a diaper changing station, as a tent to share with big sisters.  These blankets are amazingly soft, they are built to last, and they can be used for a million different purposes.  We love them so much that we sometimes steal them to use for ourselves.

2.  Boppy pillow: Although there are fancier, trendier nursing pillows out there, the Boppy pillow is my personal favorite.  It is supportive for both baby and mama while nursing, especially in the early days when you're just getting to know each other and becoming more comfortable with the whole experience of nursing.  I love that it can be used well into the toddler and school age days: our girls still use the Boppy as support while reading in bed or watching TV.  I purchased our Boppy cover from Iviebaby and love it.  Elizabeth's products are handmade and completely beautiful, I have a mile long wish list for things I want from her shop.

My favorite photo of River in his Boppy:

3.  Magnificent Baby Footies:  We were given a few of these footie pajamas as a gift from Shawn's aunt and they are such a great find!  These jumpers have hidden magnetic closures that make putting the baby's clothes on SO much easier.  No buttons, no snaps, the magnets just click together and dressing your baby in the middle of the night after a blow out is suddenly simplified.  These jumpers are made of 100%  super soft cotton and are completely lead and phythalate free.

4.  BumGenius 4.0 one size pocket diapers:  I plan to do a cloth diapering from the working mom perspective post soon but, until then, let me just tell you that I love our BumGenius diapers.  Cost efficient, excellent quality, and super reliable.

5.  Mybaby Lullaby sound machine:  How does a baby brother sleep in a busy house with two older sisters?  The sound machine, of course.  All three of our kids have used this sound machine and the sound of rain seems to always be echoing through our house.  It helps to soothe them to sleep while simultaneously blocking out the noise from the rest of the family: it's a lifesaver.  Shawn and I have grown so accustomed to the rain sound at night that we need it to sleep just as much as the kids!

How about you?  What are your baby essentials?

Adventures in Breastfeeding: Preparation

Throughout my first pregnancy, I planned to breastfeed my baby, anxiously awaiting the task ahead. I heard every horror story imaginable from friends and family and coworkers: from milk supplies that never came in to cracked nipples to clogged milk ducts.  It seemed that everyone had a story to tell and most of them were negative.  These stories made me scared shitless.  Scared enough to actually fear breastfeeding and everything that came with it.  Was everyone I knew really having such a difficult time nursing?  Or were they just too afraid to speak up if their experience was a positive one?  When it comes to motherhood, I find that most moms are more willing to share the bad over the good so as to avoid being labeled That Mom.  You know That Mom I'm talking about: the ones who get called out for being "too" positive, the moms no one believe when they swear they are actually happy raising kids and doing mom-esque things.  So we guilt ourselves into participating in conversations where we try to convince others that we're all in the same boat, this sucks, it's hard and any one who tells you any different is lying and/or overdosing on unicorns and sparkles.

Here's the thing: I love breastfeeding.  I love being close to my baby.  I love hiding away from the world under the covers and keeping my newborn right next to me.  Two kids and one on the way in and I'm no longer afraid to just come out and say it: I love being a mom and embrace the chaos that role entails.  When this baby is born, I am fully aware that I will get little to no sleep, that my body will be a big hormonal mess, that my baby will want to nurse nonstop regardless of how sore my nipples might be.  I have come to terms with the fact that I will have little time to myself, that showers will become a luxury, and that no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to fulfill all of my obligations because there just won't be enough hours in the day.  And I have grown enough as a woman and a mother and a wife to be okay with all of those things.  Because a miraculous and wonderfully made person is about to enter into my life and I will be forever changed.  And that demanding, exhausting, and sometimes scary newborn phase is a very tiny and insignificant window in the grand scheme of things.  You accept the reality of it and you move forward, enjoying it for what it is.  

And you prepare.  If you've read my blog at all during this pregnancy, it's pretty obvious that we've spent a fair amount of time nesting and organizing and making room for this baby in our lives.  That's how I get through life changes: I allow myself the space to prepare.  I put time and energy into welcoming the change.  I listen to the horror stories and the unsolicited advice, I take notes, I learn lessons, and then I make my own experience, always hoping and praying for the best.  And if the best doesn't come, I hope and pray for the strength to deal with whatever comes my way with grace.

Breastfeeding is a learned art between baby and mother: it takes preparation, practice, and patience.  It requires a strong support network and a determined spirit.  Here is a list of a few essentials:

1.  Nursing bras: I have a sleep nursing bra in my hospital bag to wear for the first few postpartum days.  I have several different styles waiting for me at home: a few with underwire, a few without, a blend of different shapes and sizes I've found work best for me.  Do yourself a favor: grab your best friend and a sense of humor and try on as many bras as it takes to find what works best for you.  Remember: your boobs will increase in size once your milk comes in.  Don't freak out when you wake up one morning resembling Pamela Anderson.

2.  Nursing pads: I use disposable pads for the first few weeks when things are just all leaky and unpredictable.  Once my milk supply becomes a tad bit regulated, I switch to washable pads. 

3.  Nursing tanks/flowy tops: Set yourself up for success by wearing clothing that is easily accessible to your nursing lifestyle, especially at the beginning when you're just getting the hang of all this nursing business.  I prefer loose fitting, soft, breathable, cotton tops that are easy to pull up.

4.  Breast pump: I wrote this post on pumping and it covers all the basics.

5.  Nipple cream: The hospital will provide you with a lanolin cream, no need to pack it but you should definitely have some on hand for when you get home.  My lactation consultant recommends that mamas who plan to nurse should start greasing those suckers up a few weeks before your due date.  There are plenty of women out there who will tell you that applying nipple cream before the baby is born did them absolutely no good but I say why not?  It can't hurt and the cream is actually very soothing to dry pregnant skin.

Remember: preparation, practice, and patience.  But, most of all, acceptance for whatever comes your way.  Take deep breathes, ask for help when needed, and give yourself and your baby the time you need to make this new relationship work.  It is not always easy or beautiful or perfect but it is a journey well worth embarking on.

Preparing for Baby: Must Haves

My list for pregnancy must haves has gotten shorter and shorter with each pregnancy.  Most
of the items I value for survival these days are simply for comfort and luxury, tools to 
make me feel better and to accommodate my growing body.

1.  Earthsavers Prevent Lotion

Third pregnancy, third time using this lotion made by a local New Orleans company,
ZERO stretch marks!!  This lotion is all natural, very light and non-greasy, with a fresh scent.
I use it from the time I find out I'm pregnancy until several months after I have the baby
to promote skin elasticity.  It's fantastic.

2.  Sanuk sandals

Sandals made from recycled yoga mats?  Yes, please!  I have a pair of flip flops AND a pair
of Sanuk sandals and I love them so much.  They are so comfortable and
supportive: important requirements for a pregnant mama who's always on her feet.

3.  The Bump Nest Body Pillow

This pillow was my biggest splurge but it was worth every penny and then some.  I was
having serious back pain and leg cramps and waking up every hour on the hour throughout
my second trimester.  Since buying this pillow, I am sleeping better then ever.  It is so soft
and supportive and can be positioned in so many different ways to accommodate
my constantly changing body.  It's even come in handy with my newest problem, heart
burn, as it can be used to elevate your upper body.  If you follow me on Instagram,
 you've probably seen multiple photos of me with this giant pillow.  It's basically become
an official family member!

Oops, there's no room for anyone else on the couch because Mommy's obnoxious pregnancy pillow 

is taking up all the room?  Sorry!!

A husband who walks into the hotel lobby with his wife's pregnancy photo on his shoulders: 

true love.

4.  Rainbow Light Prenatal Vitamins

These vitamins are food based, all natural, and contain ginger extract to assist with
digestive issues.  No preservatives or artificial yuckiness make them the perfect vitamin
for me.

5.  Maxi Skirts

Old Navy maxi skirts all day, every day.  Cool and comfortable clothing are
requirements while pregnant during the summer months and wearing a skirt makes me feel
a little more put together.  Old Navy's skirts are good quality for a fair price, bottom line.

6.  ASOS maternity swimsuit

Should the words "maternity" and "swimsuit" even be used in the same sentence?
Definitely NOT my favorite item to shop for while pregnant but I live in a state with
90-100 degree temps and we are in the water for most of the summer.  Finding a swimsuit
that didn't completely destroy my self esteem was pretty essential.  ASOS saved the day
with their maternity line: this swimsuit is so comfortable and flattering and lasts from
the beginning of my pregnancy until the end, holding everything in and accentuating
my assets.  A maternity swimsuit that makes you feel semi good about yourself: score!

A Very Hungry Giveaway

Have you ever found a product that made you think, "I wish I would have known about
this SO long ago"?  Enter: Mimijumi's Very Hungry Baby Bottle!  The innovative
nipple design of this bottle is meant to perfectly replicate a mother's breast, making
the transition from breast to bottle more natural and soothing for baby.  When I first
pulled the Mimijumi bottle out of its box, Isabelle and I both giggled, amazed at how "real"
it actually was.  The bottle is completely BPA, EA, and latex free and is very
easy to open and clean.  The nipple is incredibly soft and Brees took to it immediately.  
The bottle features a very wide neck which makes pouring milk into it easy and 
prevents spilling your hard earned breastmilk.  It's dishwasher safe which this working 
mama definitely appreciates.  This bottle features a removable non-skid bottom which 
our babysitter has raved about: she can hold Brees on her hip, pour the milk into the 
bottle, twist the nipple on, all with one hand.  The non-skid bottom prevents the bottle 
from moving around while you get everything prepared.

Since first giving this bottle to Brees a week ago, she has abandoned all other sippie cups and
bottles, much preferring this mama look-a-like bottle instead.  We gave Brees her first
bottle of pumped milk at 6 weeks old, preparing both of us for my return to work.
She struggled with the transition of breast to bottle, rejecting the bottle nipple and
its rubbery texture.  How I wish we would have had this soft, natural bottle then.  It's
simple, safe, and effective: my 3 favorite things.    If we are blessed with baby #3 in the
future, I know exactly what bottle I will stocking up on...

The lovely folks at Mimijumi have graciously offered to share one of their
breastfeeding friendly bottles to one of you lucky readers!  This is a product I
honestly believe in, a bottle I feel is the perfect addition to a healthy breastfeeding
routine.  To enter to win, simply leave me a comment below telling me YOUR favorite
drink as well as your email address.  A winner will be chosen at random next week!